I doubt his family would do that either.. all of those would be counterproductive behaviours if indulged in by his family
Unfortunately, in the real world, family does often do counterproductive things, especially when serious religious beliefs are involved.
By the way, what would you suggest to a gay teenager who is afraid that telling the truth would lead to getting thrown out of the house?
The introduction does not specify that that utility must lie in spreading ideas.
But the reasons he gives don't equally apply to spreading and concealing ideas. Lying to conceal your ideas means bringing it up in response to someone else's actions (or perhaps, their anticipated actions). It's not right to describe that as "to grab the tempting benefits" when the "benefit" consists of not being harassed. "Lie, because someone else might lie" certainly isn't a good description of lying to conceal your beliefs.
Unfortunately, in the real world, family does often do counterproductive things, especially when serious religious beliefs are involved.
I suspect that one of us, probably both, are falling prey to the Typical Family Fallacy. It's similar to the Typical Mind Fallacy, only it applies to families instead.
By the way, what would you suggest to a gay teenager who is afraid that telling the truth would lead to getting thrown out of the house?
I'd recommend making sure to have someplace to move to prepared, in advance, before telling his parents. (This might...
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A list of some posts that are pretty awesome
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